377 Psychosocial determinants and impact in mental health of Nepalese migrants

Abstract OP 28: Mental Health 5, B304 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:00 - 17:00 Background About 300’000 men and women leave the country every year to work mostly in the Gulf countries and Malaysia. Remittances from migrant workers, which equalled 25.3% of Nepal’s GDP in 2024, place the country among the top ten most remittance-dependent nations globally. While migration brings benefits, it is not without risks. Aim of the study This study aims to describe the psychosocial determinants for mental health impacts on Nepalese migrant workers. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess mental health among returned migrants. Participants were selected through referrals from community and health providers in municipalities from July 2022 to June 2023. Mental health was assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSC-25) and WHO- Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS 2), both adapted in the Nepalese context. Results A total of 1058 migrants from 132 local levels participated. Among them, 64.1% were male, 35.9% female, and 74.7% were married, 63.8% were aged 25-40 years. Major ethnicity were Janjati (27.4%), Brahmin/Chhetri (24.1%), and Dalit (17.6%). Most had primary education (65.2%), occupations migrants engaged were construction work (27.4%), housekeeping (18%), security (14.6%) and transportation (11.4%). Common mental health problems rated were anxiety (59.9%), depression (19.85%), suicide risk (6%), and trauma/loss (4.5%). The WHO-DAS 2 showed that 48.6% experienced moderate level of difficulty for daily functioning. Statistically significant associations (p 0.03-0.01) found with sex (male), ethnicity (Janjati and Dalit), education and mental health problems (depression and suicide). Key contributors to mental health problems were migrant health issues, work conditions, salary issues, illegal status and debt in families. Conclusions Age, ethnicity, education, work conditions, and health problems found significant contributors to mental health issues. There is a need for accessible mental health services tailored to the unique challenges of migrant workers.